Ticket Sales Boost Powerball Jackpot to $360 Million for May 15 Drawing

Middletown – Tack another $10 million onto the Powerball® jackpot, thanks to player excitement: the jackpot has been boosted to a $360 million annuity value, or a $229.2 million cash prize, for the Wednesday, May 15, drawing.

The Powerball jackpot, which had rolled to $350 million after the May 11 drawing, was increased today as a result of strong ticket sales.

Tickets for the next Powerball drawing will be available until 9:59 p.m. Wednesday evening.

Player excitement is also running high for tonight’s Mega Millions® drawing, with that game’s jackpot offering a $170 million annuity value or a $126.7 million cash prize.

The Pennsylvania Lottery advises players to purchase Powerball and Mega Millions tickets early to avoid any last-minute rush and to always play responsibly.

How to play Powerball: Players pay $2 and select five white balls from the first set of 59 numbers plus a single red ball, the Powerball, from a second set of 35 numbers. Players may select their own numbers using a Powerball playslip, or they may opt for computer-selected quick picks. Players must match all five numbers drawn plus the Powerball number to win the jackpot. There also are eight additional ways for players to win a cash prize.

Powerball is sold in 43 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

How to Play Mega Millions: Mega Millions tickets cost $1 per play. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 56 and one number from 1 to 46 (the Mega Ball). Players can pick their own numbers or have numbers randomly selected by computer. For an extra $1 per play, players can add the Megaplier. Prior to the Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier number – ranging from two to four – is randomly selected.
A player who matches five white balls and purchased Megaplier wins $1 million. Other non-jackpot prizes are multiplied by the Megaplier number drawn.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 42 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.

About the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception in 1971, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed more than $22.6 billion to programs that include property tax and rent rebates; free transit and reduced-fare shared rides; the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term living services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state.

The Pennsylvania Lottery reminds its players to play responsibly. Players must be 18 or older.

For drawings results, winning numbers, winners’ stories and to subscribe to the Lottery’s RSS news feed, visit www.palottery.com. Also log in to Facebook and like us at www.facebook.com/palottery or follow us at www.twitter.com/palottery.

Must Be 18 Years or Older to Play. Please Play Responsibly. Compulsive Gambling Hotline: 1-800-848-1880.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the winning numbers, prize payouts and other information posted on the Pennsylvania Lottery's Web site. The official winning numbers are those selected in the respective drawings and recorded under the observation of an independent accounting firm. In the event of a discrepancy, the official drawing results shall prevail.

"The trademark 'Cash For Life' and 'Cash 4 Life', Reg. No. numbers 2,654,618, 2,358,248, 3,099,613, 85/259416 and 85/259430, are owned by and used with the permission of the Multi-State Lottery Association".